Part of Me

There is something in that moment. When it hits you. When, suddenly, it's clear. A word, a phrase stands out brighter than the rest. Brighter than ever before. And your heart says, "Sit up. Listen. Take note."

The sermon was about being a servant, not just one who serves. He said that serving in the "hidden-ness" is what transforms our hearts. And isn't that what I'm after? Isn't that what Lent is all about, after all? Transformation? Preparation?

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
(John 13:6-8)

There is something about serving that guarantees a part of ourselves, that gives a part of ourselves. I can't expect to serve wholeheartedly without giving myself over to the other. And then, too, when I allow someone else to serve me, I receive a part of them. How can I refuse someone's service to me without denying who they are? How can I hold on to myself in the service of others? I can't. I can't.

It's something to ponder, to mull over, to treasure. Because this moment of awareness is not accidental. This moment is preparing my heart, transforming my heart. I was made for this, after all.

And you? What is your moment?

My sermon notes & doodles. Hop on over to my friend's blog to see more doodles from church.

Lent

For the first time, I'm actively engaging in the season of Lent. My husband decided to give up computer use at home, which got me thinking...

about my time
about my habits
about my Bible study
about my conviction

And I knew it was right for me to join him in giving up and giving over, in this time of preparation. So here I am giving up Hulu for Lent. Reminding myself daily that what I fill my mind - my life - with is important. Remembering that being intentional with my God, with my husband, with my son is more important than the characters on my favorite shows.

Because it's not just about my time. Or my energy (or the lack thereof). It's about my heart. He is making my heart a garden. For Him. For His glory.

And in Hulu's place there is to be...

worship
prayer
Scripture
creativity
BEAUTY.

Watch. Listen. Enjoy.

Changing...

My friend and neighbor told me when my son was born that change is the new normal, or something to that effect. She basically meant that I should expect change. As soon as one routine seems to be set, Jesse will change, and we'll have to adjust. That certainly seems to be the case, and it's not a bad thing.

When I found out that I got into school and was pregnant at the same time, I knew there was a specific reason for it. That's why, as I take this semester off, one of my goals is to figure out how motherhood and writing fit together. (Right now I picture it as less of a balancing act, and more of a marriage. There will always be give and take, but they are meant to be together and make each other better.)

Although this is my goal, the first few weeks I didn't worry about it. I just wanted to get to know my son and myself as a mom. (Not to say that it can be accomplished in a few weeks; I don't think that will ever be finished.) After a bit of time "off" writing, I began to want it again. My fingers itched to get to the keyboard. But when I had a spare moment, I had neither the energy nor the ideas to even begin to write. So I waited a bit longer.

Now I have more energy, but often I feel bereft of ideas. Or I have ideas but no time. Or my boy needs me. Or it's easier to watch Hulu. Or, or, or...

But today, glorious day, my son fell asleep. I took a quick shower, and he was still sleeping. I messed around trying to get my printer to work, and he was still sleeping. So I thought, why not try to write? Eight-hundred plus words later, and I'm beginning to realize that it's not about the time or the ideas. Sometimes it's simply about sitting down to the computer, placing my fingers lightly on the keyboard, breathing deeply, and getting out some words. No matter how many. No matter how good.

I may feel great about it, like today. Or I may feel frustrated and drained and incapable of thought. No matter. It's a marriage. Some days are easy, and some are hard. But this journey of motherhood and writing were gifted together. I trust that they will make the other better.

So here's to change, to constant adjustment. Here's to being who I was meant to be. Here's to being whole - a daughter of the King, a wife, a mom, a writer, a friend, and so much more.

Consider it all joy...

Today, I find myself musing about joy, books, creating, work, and so much more.

At the beginning of the Bible study that I'm doing at my church, the author says that joy is our birthright in Christ. What a beautiful thought. Joy as a birthright. That has been sticking with me over the last few weeks.

I love to read. I can and will literally devour books day after day. Now that I'm nursing, I find this especially true because I'm sitting still for hours each day without the ability to get up and do something. So...I read.

Wouldn't you think, then, that these endless hours of reading would fill me to the brim with joy? Most of the time, they do. However, sometimes I find myself swallowed up by the waves that I once sailed. When I am only taking in without in turn creating, I drown. My joy in reading is stolen when I don't turn around and create or do something with what I'm taking in.

Sometimes I forget that the creating, the doing, is joyful. Madeleine L'Engle says it this way: "Our work should be our play."

I was just recently speaking with a friend about this. We both agreed that our hardest work, the thing that takes the most energy and time and risk is also the thing that is the most rewarding, the most joyful. For me, that thing is writing. It's sad that so many young people don't understand this. (I can recall many instances of my past students saying that they wanted to have a job where they didn't have to work; they just wanted the easy life, to play.) "Our work should be our play." Our work should be our joy.

In the grand moments of inspiration when I'm swept up by the story...joy. In the work of revising...joy. In the cleaning of the kitchen...joy. In the changing of a diaper...joy. In the waking up tired to nurse my hungry boy...joy. In the reading of the Word...joy. In the moments with friends, worshiping...joy. In the reading of good books...joy. In the remembering to photograph my boy each day...joy.

Consider it all joy.

My husband planning a lovely 27th "Napa Night" birthday party for me.
Consider it all joy.

My beautiful, sleeping boy.
Consider it ALL joy.
In Christ.

My cute boy...

Today, I'll just let my cute boy do the talking!

Happy Tuesday.

For-ev-er

I can see Squints from The Sandlot mouthing the word in slow motion, his bottom lip folding under the pressure of his teeth: "For-ev-er." Yes, it's been forever. And in that forever space, so much has happened. Here's the quick-and-dirty list:

1. Kelby and I found out we were pregnant. Woohoo!
2. The next day, I found out that I got into Vermont College of Fine Arts to study Writing for Children and Young Adults - my dream come true!
3. I finished the year and quit my teaching job in order to focus on graduate school and the baby.
4. I completed my first semester at VCFA with the rough draft of a picture book, a short story, and half of a novel.
5. I had my beautiful boy on December 1st, 2011. He was born on his great-grandpa Jesse's birthday and named after him.

This really has been a whirlwind year of blessings. The Lord really poured out his blessing and made his scripture come alive for me: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not calamity, plans to give you a future and a hope'" (Jeremiah 29:11).

As I was reading another blog this morning, I came upon an amazing and simple idea for keeping up on this blog. In yesterday's post, Ashley Ann of Under the Sycamore mentioned that she has "started a little project of taking one picture a day on her phone." For this perpetually-forgetting-the-camera-and-missing-such-sweet-moments-girl, that sounded just simple enough. After all, I'm never that far from my phone. I decided that I'm going to copy-cat this year, and try to make that project my own. A picture a day (or more, depending on my mood.)

Now don't get your hopes up, you five followers who may have already abandoned me during my extremely long hiatus. I am not going to post every day. That just doesn't seem doable. I will, however, try to post my daily photos at least once a week with an update. Hopefully, hopefully...

Here are three photos from today. Enjoy!

Grace

I'm amazed how quick I am to judge. How quick I am to find fault. And, yet, in one conversation, just a few breaths, the Lord reveals to me my lack of grace for others.

The God of all grace, who gives a multitude of good and wonderful gifts to His children - to us, to me - can forgive and forgive and forgive. He blesses continually, never ceasing, without fail. Doesn't he say that those who've been forgiven much, love much? Isn't that grace, too? I, who have been given abundant grace, shouldn't I be giving grace abundantly? YES.

Here I stand, reminded by my Loving Father who I am meant to be - one who gives grace with abandon. And I am thankful. Thankful that He reminds. Thankful that He gives second chances (and third and fourth and fifth chances...) Thankful that He is the ultimate Grace-Giver for all the times I fall short and always. Thankful for the gift of moments, gentle nudges, and new days.


#94-102 of One Thousand Gifts...

ten beautifully extra minutes to sip, savor, and read

full conversation - the opening of a soul, a heart when ears are ready

dinner - the preparation of it

wet cloth over messy countertop - clean

soft background music of water in dishwasher

tired feet and toes (meaning I walked today)

the heart of the Body shared in stories

quiet eight o'clock hour in front of the fire

hard lovely reminders about my lack of grace and chances to start anew